It was a historical marker at the base of the state Capitol, one that detailed the epic march from Selma to Montgomery 47 years ago. The march led to the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which banned discrimination at the polls. A re-enactment of the 54-mile trek began Sunday.

The event commemorates the anniversary of the 1965 demonstration that became known as "Bloody Sunday" after police attacked peaceful protesters. Demonstrators crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge on Sunday to call for the repeal of Alabama's voter ID and immigration laws.